Airbnb
Questions & Answers
So many negative reviews. It's really scary. Why would Airbnb charge fees before the visitor even receive confirmation form host? This leaves the door open to any sort of scams.
Asked by Elimba D. on 10/10/2015
19 Answers
cheri w.10/10/2015
As a host & licensed realtor with multiple properties in both Los Angeles & Las Vegas which I book directly and also have listed with multiple vacation rental agencies, SAVE YOURSELF TIME, MONEY & AGGRAVATION by booking either DIRECTLY with the host or through other REPUTABLE
Agencies, such as Roomorama.
Agencies, such as Roomorama.
Maan H.10/10/2015
What Airbnb is saying that they are taking NO risk, and it is up to us, users of their service to figure things out. YES it does open the door to scams, and I just fell for one myself. They have a great model, but their current approach is a disaster waiting to happen. I do not recommend using their services unless you are willing to take the risk.
Renee J.10/10/2015
We are hosts and we give our guests wonderful service and amenities. We were not vetted but all our info is on facebook and linked in. Our property is also viewable on google maps We have good reviews from all our guests so all this is checkable beforehand. I have noticed recently that several guests have been very demanding and want hotel service. Because we are are a private home we are unable to do that.
As far as fees are concerned, we hosts don't see any money until the guest has been with us for 24 hours. Sometimes guests dont pay the cleaning fee or pet cost and I don't know until after the guests have arrived.
I would recommend checking out everthing before you book including the area and don't go for the cheapest space. That spells trouble. Also once you have booked call the host and speak to them personally to get an idea of who they are.
Also AirBnb website has problems. I lost several guests because their paypal link didn't work. One woman told me they held onto her money for seven days.
As a world traveller, I would not use AirBnb in a country I didn't know. It's too dangerous. Especially in third world countries
Hope all this helps. Renee
As far as fees are concerned, we hosts don't see any money until the guest has been with us for 24 hours. Sometimes guests dont pay the cleaning fee or pet cost and I don't know until after the guests have arrived.
I would recommend checking out everthing before you book including the area and don't go for the cheapest space. That spells trouble. Also once you have booked call the host and speak to them personally to get an idea of who they are.
Also AirBnb website has problems. I lost several guests because their paypal link didn't work. One woman told me they held onto her money for seven days.
As a world traveller, I would not use AirBnb in a country I didn't know. It's too dangerous. Especially in third world countries
Hope all this helps. Renee
Maya M.5/2/2019
Airbnb is amazing on so many levels for host and guest. Stick with super host with great reviews and you'll never have a problem PERIOD
Paul m.10/10/2015
Air bnb denies, defames and defrauds. They have no risks and all the gains. They get it from the host and the tenant. The host has no control of the security deposit and the tenant has no guarantee of getting what they paidfor. I compare Air bnb to a used car salesman, you get what you pay for. Try VRBO or other vacation sites and deal with the owner. At least when you deal with the owner you can have someone come and preview the home without putting your money out and you can also get the address and Google earth it to find out what type of neighborhood you are in. My words of wisdom as a host. Google my home 171 Coronado, half moon bay, ca and you get a real human, not a tool. I'm a tool, LOL
MEG E.10/10/2015
The booking process puts all the risk on the booker with none to airnbnb who actually make a profit earning interest all funds paid at time of booking especially when it is a far out check in date... The majority of the host have their product listed on other sites. I strongly recommend using the airbnb site for product information ONLY... in most cases if it is a credible product will find it on another site... The AIrbnb business model is totally scewed to benefit the owners... Stay Away from this type of company and you WILL find their product offerings on other site and try and find a way to deal directing with the Owner of the property you are interested in... I made one booking and never again... I was lucky and the host was amazing but once I got her email I dealt directly with the owner at all times... I have since given her email to other potential clients...
Deb B.10/10/2015
Problem is you can't tell ahead of time the character of the property owner. Ask yourself how much is your safety worth?
Lynea G.10/10/2015
They responded to my complaint and I am very happy with the service we got from the provider. I have had good luck in the past - just had trouble with the validation process.
Rita V.10/10/2015
I don't know why they take the money from customers because they certainly don't give it to the host until after the customer has checked in.
I would recommend doing a thorough investigation about a property before you rent, because with airbnb if thing go well, it's great, but if something goes wrong you are on an uphill battle.
Hope that helps and good luck. All of my guests had a wonderful experience I just had one bad apple and got no assistance from airbnb.
I would recommend doing a thorough investigation about a property before you rent, because with airbnb if thing go well, it's great, but if something goes wrong you are on an uphill battle.
Hope that helps and good luck. All of my guests had a wonderful experience I just had one bad apple and got no assistance from airbnb.
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